In short

We are seeking a dynamic Head of Accessories Development to spearhead the creation of our soft and hard accessories division. This pivotal role will focus on crafting, and executing materials and product development strategies, partnering on sourcing initiatives, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within the team. The role demands a leader who can set a compelling vision and strategy while inspiring the team to achieve excellence.

Your Mission

• Oversee the project management of the product range from ideation to launch, including development, materials, sampling, testing, calendars and final product specifications.

• Support the conceptualisation and design of innovative accessory products, working closely with the design team, ensuring alignment with On’'s vision and market demand.

• Work closely with On’s product strategy team to understand go-to-market strategies and ensure successful, on time, product launches.

• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify emerging trends, competitive threats, and new market opportunities.

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for accessory materials, aligning it with the overall brand and sourcing strategy.

• Stay at the forefront of material science, emerging technologies, and market trends to identify and oversee the development of innovative materials that meet performance, durability, and sustainability requirements.

• Establish and enforce rigorous material testing and quality control protocols to ensure compliance with industry standards and brand requirements.

• Support our Head of Sourcing based in Vietnam on building a robust global sourcing strategy that emphasizes high quality products and world class partnership and service, ethical sourcing and sustainability.

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for accessory materials, aligning it with the overall brand and sourcing strategy.

• Work closely with quality assurance teams to address any material-related issues, implement corrective actions, and prevent quality deviations.

• Evaluate and select suppliers based on their ability to innovate, meet sustainability and quality standards, cost objectives, and ethical practices.

• Implement supply chain initiatives, in partnership with our ESG team, that reduce environmental impact, such as using recycled and preferred materials, advanced water treatment and color dyeing technologies and optimizing logistics with initiatives like localisation.

• Recruit, train, and mentor a team of developers, engineers, and materials specialists.

• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages creativity and risk-taking.

• Set clear performance standards and develop talent through regular feedback and professional development opportunities.

• Cultivate a high-performing team culture through empathetic leadership and effective communication.

• Champion the integration of new technologies and materials into product design to enhance functionality and sustainability.

• Spearhead and streamline product development and manufacturing processes to increase efficiency, reduce complexity and time to market.

• Develop strategies and engineer solutions that will instigate new ways of thinking about products.

• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and refining processes.

• Foster a culture of innovation, encouraging the team to embrace calculated risks.

• Collaborate with product strategy to monitor and analyze sales data. Use this to understand product performance and market fit and make informed decisions on future product ranges.

• Ensure that all departments are informed of product development timelines and changes to ensure cohesive brand messaging and sales strategies.

• Work with the internal On quality team to gather customer feedback and incorporate it into future product designs in collaboration with sourcing and factories.

• Demonstrate collaborative leadership to align interdepartmental goals and strategies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, providing continuous feedback on how to elevate business partnership.

• Engage with industry stakeholders, including athletes and sports professionals, to gain insights for the accessory lines.

• Represent the company at trade shows, conferences, and other industry events to network and build brand presence.